Name: Allia Antorha Appearance: Age: 25 Hair: Black, very long Eyes: Grey Figure: Lean, athletic, B Cup breasts Details: Fine nose, Sharp Eyes, thin, red lips, white teeth, more tanned than the average noble. Preferred Clothes: Dresses that leave enough freedom for the legs (Short skirts or slit open at the side), Uniforms. Will have her rapier with her at all possible moments. Court Clothes: Black and/or dark green dresses, the two colour of her houses, that are made in the current fashion but from the least expensive materials. No jewellery. Dagger underneath the long skirt. Stats: Martial: +2 Warfare: +4 Finance: +2 Deception: 0 Espionage: -1 Seduction: -1 Charisma: 0 Command: +2 Perception: +1 Willpower: +2 Fortitude: +2 Health: 3 Trait: Stab them with the pointy end: +2 Martial with a rapier +1 with one-handed swords and daggers -1 for axes and two handers -2 for blunt weapons. Story: From a southern border province of the duchy Allia was the third child of her family. Allia was never meant to rule but to serve in the army of the duchy instead, as the old saying goes: The first gets the land, the second gets the church and the third gets the army. However, a terrible hunting incident claimed the life of her father and her two older brothers when she had completed her base training in the military at the age of 18. Her mother, falling into depression, had no ability to rule so she took up the responsibility of ladyship. What had been a terrible tragedy turned into great fortune for the people of the land she now ruled. Although she never had been particularly well schooled in the manners of court Allia’s abilities in war and treasury were exceptional and thus her reforms not only drove of bandits that had long plagued the countryside but also saw massive overhauls to the benefit of everyone. Not even that was enough though. In time, she found out that the whole hunting accident was staged. Her close family had been murdered. The name of the person responsible was never revealed to Allia but she found a ring with the depiction of a bears head. The reason for the murder became apparent as well once she traced back the old finances of her land: Her Father had started taking loans, lots of them, from less than credible sources. New payments were never demanded but the treasury was still empty from the payments her father had made during his life time. With the local economy in shambles, being held together only by her sheer force of will, she makes way to the court of the duke to find allies. All she has to give though is a small but able military. Character: Allia was not raised for court life and other nobles can easily see that. She doesn’t move with the gracility of true noblewoman, instead almost marching in her dress. Her speech is a bit to blunt and often snarky. Lastly, she always looks a bit disdainful at everyone who overindulges, be it food, alcohol or sex. If one can live through that they are met with a trustworthy ally or friend. She isn’t a good liar and she knows that so she stays away from deceptions, instead giving her genuine help. While not being a great seductress herself she is not against some fun on the sidelines (Providing that there is some way to prevent pregnancy). Religion: Atheistic. God's don't exist and if they do they are pricks not to be worshipped. Support Base: 30 Bannermen – Tabards are dark green on one side and black on the other. Wear a wide array of weaponry. Manor Antorhall – Mediocre manor, most decorations have been sold to make money that keeps the iron import going. Covered in Terma-ivy, the coat of arms of house Antorha. The leaf of the plant is dark green and has black veins. 500 gold Province: The Province of Antorha lies at the South-western border. It has been ruled by Allia’s family for hundreds of years. Besides a few villages that try their best to grow crops on the mountainous terrain there are two cities. Geled, a port-city with once high influence, which is connected via a direct route with the local capital Antorhall. Antorhall is situated at the foot of a large mountain and grows around the Manor of the same name and a mostly depleted Iron mine. Economy is focused around the creation of tools and weapons from Iron. With the depletion of the mine, the Iron has to be imported to keep the economy going. Unless a new vein is discovered the decline of the province will be hitting its lowest point in about a year, when the money to import runs out. Other notable products are fish and mercenaries. Lastly the province controls a border fortress on a mountain pass to the south that keeps out orc raiders from entering Maran. EDIT 1: Changed Eye colour from brown to grey, Added breast size, Added Religion, Added Trait, Added Support Base, Added Province Information.
Name: Reana Taerin Age: 22 Appearance: Raven-black shoulder-length hair (used to reach to the middle of her back at one time, but she cut it), blue eyes, D-cup breasts, slightly above average height. Prefers to wear dresses, especially ones that show off her ample bosom. She is from a family where the number '4' is believed to be linked to death. The reason for that is that for centuries the fourth child born to a member of the family always died at the age of 4. She is the first exception in more than three centuries. When she turned 4 she almost died several times due to various illnesses, but eventually she survived and turned 5, much to her parents' surprise and joy. She has four siblings: 2 older brothers, an older sister and a younger sister. Due to all the illnesses that almost killed her she has never been very strong physically. As a result she has never been very interested in physical activities, such as combat or warfare. Instead she prefers to use her looks and charisma to seduce and deceive others, especially pretty girls. She has studied quite a bit about Finances and has also learned about Espionage. She is strong-willed and perceptive. During the centuries the Taerin family's power and fortune has waxed and waned. Currently it is on the rise once again, and Reana intends to help with said rise. Province: Located in the south-east, most of the main trade routes from the eastern forests to the ports in the south pass through it. Unsurprisingly, the main source of income is trade. Recently several large deposits of iron ore were discovered in some of the hills in the province. The Taerin family intends to build a mine and start producing iron, but that will no doubt displease a number of families from the west and the north... So for now the Taerins are just gathering resources and gaining new connections. There are some forests and farmlands in the province – enough to cover the needs of the people living there, but not enough to trade them away. Officially Reana is on her own at the ball looking for a husband/wife, as she wants to be her own woman instead of always relying on her family's wealth. Unofficially (according to some unreliable rumors) she was kicked out of home after she was caught with her fingers inside the quim of a family member (her younger sister, older sister, mother, or even all three, depending on the version). When asked about the rumors she just rolls her eyes and says that she has no control over what ridiculous rumors people choose to believe. In reality she has the full support of her family and the rumors are just an excuse for the rest of her family to distance themselves from her, so that her eventual failure won't affect them as much as it would normally. Traits: Lesbian-leaning bi – Reana, while bisexual, prefers women. It's easier for her to seduce females (+1 when she attempts to seduce a female) but also easier for females to seduce her (-1 to willpower when she is seduced by females). At the same time it is harder for her to seduce males (-1 when attempting to seduce a male) but also male characters have it harder to seduce her (+1 to willpower when she is seduced by males). Stat: Modifier Martial: +0 Warfare: +1 Finance: +2+1 = 3 Deception: +3+1 = 4 Espionage: +2 Seduction: +3+1 = 4 Charisma: +3+1 = 4 Command: +1 Perception: +2+1 = 3 Willpower: +3 Fortitude: +0 HP: 1 Money: 1000 gold pieces Reana has 50 of her family's banner men at her disposal (most of them female). She has also hired mercenaries to protect her: Isabel's Valkyries – 50 women, experienced warriors skilled with various weapons and led by a half-elf named Isabel. They don't know the real reason Reana is there, and they don't care as long as they get paid regularly. Isabel has made it clear that she would be more than happy to get paid with sex instead of money, should Reana be so inclined. Anna and Lea – a pair of human girls, the same age as Reana. They are her personal maids, guards and bed warmers.
Name: Lord Havelock. Age: in his thirties or forties, no amount of intelligence work has pinned it down past that. Appearance: Backstory: As with his age, no one really knows. He attends no religious services (bar those which other lords will be attending), claiming to have his own chapel on the grounds of his manor (which is located in a dense forest, an hour from the nearest town along twisting tracks, thereby making it almost unconfirmable). However, despite the distances involved and his apparent distaste for social contact, Havelock always attends any political events of note in the Duchy. Stat: Modifier Martial: -2 Warfare: -2 Finance: +2 Deception: +2 (1 point) Espionage: +2 (1 point) Seduction: -3 Charisma: -2 Command: -1 Perception: +3 (2 points) Willpower: +2 (1 point) Fortitude: -1 1 HP Traits: Backstabber: Havelock prefers a knife to the back rather than a sword to the front. +1 Martial where he both has access to knife-type weapons and the ability to "cheat", -1 Martial in a fight with neither (most duels fit this mould). Family: ??? Support base: 25 bannermen – all in his tabards, all either at the manor or near him at all times, all carrying shortswords under their tabards. 65 spies - spread throughout the Duchy, in disguise, reporting back frequently. Trained to spy and steal, not sabotage or kill. 5 assassins - all in disguise (as gardeners) at Havelock Hall, trained to kill and sabotage, not spy or steal. Manor - Havelock Hall. Located in a remote part of the Duchy, in the woods, far from most civilisation. Farmland - In village near manor, tilled by serfs. Low income, but only large-scale natural disasters will reduce the output. 600 gold Hffish - Lizardmen Captain of the Guard. As with his employer, his background is a mystery, and even his existence is not general knowledge, but it is known that he comes from the desert homeland of the Lizardmen and that he is normally armed with two swords. Some of the wilder rumourmongers say that he was a corsair, forced to work for Havelock to escape execution. Then again, they also say that the real Havelock is a colony of hyper intelligent ants, and that the Duke is a time travelling mage-lord. @bastardlydastard: If there's anything that I've done wrong, send me a message.
Name: Jharl James Ghembretton Stat: Modifier Martial: +4 Warfare: +3 Finance: +0 Deception: -1 Espionage: +0 Seduction: -3 Charisma: +0 Command: +3 Perception: +1 Willpower: +3 Fortitude: +4 HP: 5 (This Factors in All Modifiers.) Trait: "Honor Among Peers" When among landed nobility and/or in a formal situation James gains a +1 to charm and perception (If both situations apply he gains a +2.) Conversely, when dealing with thieves, criminals, and other examples of the worst of humanity, and/or in situations where nobles are hated/despised, he suffers a -1 to charm and command. (Again, if both situations apply he suffers a -2.) In the event that situations from both sets of conditions are in play the bonuses and penaltes stack, and can negate each other. (As an example: if he were having a formal dinner with the head of a theives guild, he would be at a +1 to perception, +0 to charm, and -1 to command...) History: Jharl James Ghembretton's story is one filled with tragedy and sorrow. Born the son of Earl Adam Ghembretton and Countess Maria Ghembretton (ne'-Silversham) His father and mother were an arranged marriage for alliance and power, but love found root in their hearts in spite or perhaps because of that, leading to three sons and two daughters. James was the second of their five children, first of their three sons, and grew up knowing full well that it was his duty, privilege, and burden to some day assume ruler-ship of the Ghembretton Earldom. He also is the one child of his generation in which the recessive genes of his mother's 1/4th Elfin ancestry have strong expression, resulting in bright green and slightly slanted eyes and the barest trace of point to his ears. Though he is only 1/8th elf James has long felt an affinity for nature and the wild, which led him to be an avid hunter... When he was 12 years old James was betrothed to Vidame Margaret Respire. This aroused the unremitting Ire of Count Halon Mountbatten who had wanted his son Wendell to marry the beautiful and accomplished young woman. He arranged to have the youth captured by slavers while out hunting and sold in a foreign port, thinking he would be dead within the year from disease and malnutrition. He severely underestimated James strength of spirit and resolve. James childhood training in weapons, warfare, and propensity to brawn made him a natural pick to be trained for the arena. Within four years James was a gladiator, and a killer. He fought his way to the top, leaving a string of broken corpses in his wake, eyes ever fixed on ONE goal, to return home and seek his revenge! In all his time in the arenas he never took a lover, though many women were shoved at him or threw themselves at his feet. To him his betrothal was as binding as a marriage vow, and he would forsake it for nothing and no one. Eventually he was granted his freedom, manumitted at the order of the High King of the North himself, at which ceremony he was presented with an enchanted long-sword: Лунный клинок*. He took his accumulated winnings and outfitted a dozen long-ships: filled them with the best sell-swords and freed gladiators money could hire, and returned. He found Halon escaped from his clutches by the ravages of old age, and worse, the woman he had waited from the age of 14 to the age of 30 for was married. Not only married though, but in what he felt was the ULTIMATE betrayal, to the very son of the man who had him kidnapped to become a slave!!! *("Moon Blade" in the language of the Rus. The sword's enchantment draws power from the Moon and functions differently depending on the moon's phase. At the Full Moon [and on the two days to either side] it blazes with Power and Vitality, Glowing like moonlight and being surrounded by a pale Lunar Fire. When the Moon is Waning it Oozes a faintly glowing acid. When the Moon is Dark [and on the two days to either side] it is colder than ice, and will freeze anything the blade touches. When the moon is Waxing arcs and snaps with tamed lightning. On the two days of the Half Moon the sword echos like a peal of thunder when it strikes, and can break men's bones just with the burst of sound. The sword itself, as well as it's wielder, are immune to the effects of all these forms of energy. However, there is a price to be paid for its power: the sword will cease to function for the next lunar month if it is not exposed to moonlight for at least an an hour each week, acting as just a finely wrought long-sword.) His RAGE knew no bounds. He and his men marched from their landing point at port Helm-War on the southernmost tip of Mountbatten County straight for the county seat at the eponymous mountain in a twelve day storm of fire and blood: burning fields, butchering bull-cattle to eat, and looting the treasuries of every single village in their path. However they did it in good order, only one rape was committed by his men, and when he heard of it he personally administered the sentence of forty lashes to the five men involved and offered the girl a dowry to any convent she chose to name*. *(Interestingly, she accepted the dowry but refused to join a convent, instead saying she would wait a year and a day from the death of her rapists and then on the next full moon ask her childhood sweetheart if he would accept her hand in marriage. She and her beloved, (now husband,) now own the largest tavern in James county seat, and have recently been delivered of a pair of fraternal twins, firstborn son and daughter both...) His when they reached the open plane that ringed the mountain they were met by Count Wendell Mountbatten and his army, but James asked for parlay. He offered terms of immense simplicity: the two armies need not strike a single blow, James and Wendell, themselves and no others, no champions or seconds, would duel to the death: winner take all. If Wendell was victorious James men would turn over all the plunder they had taken, lay down arms, and return to the port and their ships, then leave. If JAMES won, his men kept all their loot, and James would be vindicated in the sight of all by the gods favor as the party wronged by Wendell's father and his treachery. Forever after all the heirs of Wendell's line would bear the bar sinister of bastardy on their arms because Margaret's betrothal to James had been wrongfully annulled when he was falsely believed dead. As was custom in these parts both would duel with blades of the same kind selected at random by their rival from among those of their army which were not enchanted, and would wear only a non-magical doublet and trews. They each would fight with their skill most of all, and whomever the gods favored would be the victor. Wendell agreed, fearing for his men (and more for his children) if they faced James hardened mercenaries and gladiators in open war. The very fact that James will be the character I play in this story shows how the duel ended... Margaret was distraught, her husband was dead, her county in ruins and beggared, and the man who she had once thought she would marry, then mourned his death, was the cause of all. James had effectively MURDERED the man she had come to love and the father of her children whose part in the outrages committed against him had been non-existent! Until James miraculous return Count Halon had taken all knowledge of what had occurred in that forest to his grave, no trace of word had reached her ears that there was any possibility James could be alive. For more than 14 years he had just been a ghostly memory and a small portrait that she kept among her mementos, now: now he had returned, returned and become a monster! James had less than no sympathy and informed her that their betrothal was PROPERLY dissolved not in person as custom demanded, but by a folded and sealed NOTE delivered by five of his best warriors. The majority of his men were paid and sent back to the ships, while James and a handful of his most loyal and elite fighters made their way, paying as they went from the spoils of their victory, to James parents estate. There he was to be dealt another blow. His mother and father, heartbroken over his 'death' had pined away and left the estate in the hands of his youngest brother Justin. (Not their middle brother Jeffry, who it appeared had contracted and died of Typhoid Fever a few years after James disappearance.) Justin had long desired to become a priest, but had married and produced heirs as he must. The met on good terms, and over a month of drinking, crying, and talking long into the night came to an agreement. Justin would cede to his older bother's claim and become a monk as he had once dreamed, on the condition that James adopt his two sons and daughter as his heirs and never marry. He could sire all the bastards he pleased, most nobles did, but he must never have any legitimate children. The one thing that puzzled James was Clair, his brother's wife: where did she fit in all this? As it turned out, Clair had originally wanted to become a nun herself, but her position as both the elder and most beautiful sister in her family meant that she was destined for an alliance match. Now both husband and wife could follow their bliss, secure in the knowledge that their children were safe with their loving, (If flinty of eye and discipline...) uncle. James hired the best woman he could find to draw up the contracts of retrenchment (His brother was not abdicating: one cannot 'abdicate' if one never was supposed to have the Title in the first place: so ran James reasoning...) and made sure that it was laid down in black and white that while he could marry if he wished, the marriage must be Morganatic, their children could be given titles by his or his wife's hand and would be gently born, but would have no claim of any sort on his ancestral title of Earl. He also chose to style himself in the way of the Northmen, rather than 'Earl' he would be known as "Jharl", for he was minded to see how deep the rabbit hole went: plumb the FULL depths of the conspiracy that had him declared dead when the truth was anything but... The Castle Manorial of the Ghembretton Earldom: This cold and somewhat drafty old castle has stood since before the Empire. though added to many times over the years at its core is still the Black Tower, a mighty edifice raised out of many large pieces of basalt from the nearby Strogyin formation, mined and hauled up out of the depths at great expense in a bygone age. Surrounding that are two curtain walls, the first containing the castle proper and its facilities and the second holding the greater portion of the Ghembretton county seat of Ghembretton Vashnoy*. *(And isn't it time to expand the city's curtain wall again?) The Black Tower rears up over 200 feet into the air, one of the largest towers in all the duchy, in fact the entire Empire. It is said to have been built by a mighty Sourcerer in an age long gone, but no one knows if this is true these long years past. The Black tower has withstood sieges, assaults and even once a marauding dragon, leading some to claim that it can only be taken by Treachery. When fully stocked it holds enough food and drink in its vast cellars and store rooms to live comfortably for up to 3 years in the event of a siege, with its full capacity of 1000 people in residence, and has all the facilities to host that compliment in style and comfort for about a year without any trouble. However that is when fully stocked, which has not happened in almost a century, as the Ghembretton fortunes have not been adequate to support full preparation*. *(See Treasury, Below) The Gembretton "Bannermen": The core of James banner-men is 50 former gladiators which joined him in coming south. They have each seen more combat and killed more people than any three people shouldever have to, and are somewhat the worse for wear. However, if anyone tries to assaniate James... Heaven help them, because assuredly, no one else COULD. The other Bannermen are evenly divided between the 25 Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs who oversee the various shires within the Earldom and James 25 'Quaestors': his highly compartmentalized network of spies and investigators working on unraveling the conspiracy of his abduction: an incredibly difficult task at what is now 20 years remove... Treasury: The Ghembretton dynasty has fallen on hard times in recent generations: though once wealthy they have brought in to the creeping attitude that 'trade' is not fitting work for noblemen and they must rely on income only from land or spoils of war. James sees this for the fallacy it is and has invested a lot of their remaining money in fleets and ships. However this has left his liquid wealth limited, leaving him with only 250 GP worth of cash to hand.
There are some small changes to support base. Name: Irène Rousseau Gender: Female Age: 42 Appearance: Irène is an attractive middle-aged woman with fit, hourglass figure, firm large E-cupped breasts and beautiful face. She has a beauty mark under her left eye and blond hair that she usually keeps them put up with hair ornament. Preferred clothing: She likes to wear elegant dresses with deep cleavage cut, stockings, high-heels and jewelry. History: Fifth child in the family. Irène was married off (in matrilineal marriage) to one of the count's bastards, that he wanted to get rid of. After her mother died and her father remarried, she was sent away from family manor to the city with a small amount of money. Ever the resourceful woman she opened up a brothel – which served her as a source of income and information. The marriage with her husband was not a happy one, but she did give birth to 3 daughters that would carry her surname. Soon after the birth of her third daughter, her husband died, due to overuse of alcohol in one of the whore's beds. Irène continued to build her connections and influence in the city as her business prospered. She became one of most influential figures in the city... also one of most attractive women in the city. Many nobles paid a fortune, to spend a night with her. She used the money to expand her business and gain even more influence. She also started training her own whore-assassins, women devoted to her, skilled in the art of seduction and assassination. While skilled warriors capable of taking on militia and beginning adventurers, they were no match for fully-trained warriors or knights. While she became one of shadow eminences in the city – her influence was limited by other criminal parties. She was never able to take control of the entire city. That state of things lasted until the most recent news. Her father died and the conflict erupted between her family branch and that of her stepmother's. After receiving a call for help, Irène gathered few mercenaries, plus troops loyal to her and quickly marched to her family's manor. When she arrived at the manor, Irène found few surviving servants, her stepmother grieving over the dead bodies of her children... and all of her siblings dead. Irène had her stepmother executed for treason the same night. Now, Lady Irène, with her manor half burned, most of her bannermen dead, traveled to Duke's court – to ensure her right rule... Traits: Prefers women – Irène, while bisexual, prefers women. It's easier for females to seduce her (-1 to willpower when she is seduced by female) and male characters have it harder to seduce her (+1 to willpower when she is seduced by male ) Family: Daughters (24 years old Severine, 22 years old Esther and 21 years old Regine) House colors: A purple tree without leaves, on the black ground with white background. Support base: 15 bannermen – they were not in manor when the conflict erupted. They are equipped with chainmail, sword and shield. 24 bannerwomen – an all female group, recruited from retired whores, female adventurers and bandits, all of the members are loyal to Irène. She quipped all of them with chainmail armor (including plate helmet) that left their tights arms and cleavage (reasonably) exposed - this served to give them a greater mobility and serve as a distraction to their opponents. Each member is equipped with sword, shield, spear, bow and arrows. They also wear Rousseau house's colors. 16 whore-assassins - working as whores, when they are not spying or killing. They wear light clothes and various assassination tools. They don't carry anything that would identify them with the house of Rousseau. Manor – half burned due to the conflict. Situated in the middle of the forest. Brothel – Except working as a brothel it also serves Irène as a source of information and school of her whore-assassins. Various businesses – giving a steady income. Some farmlands - source of food and tax income. 600 gold Eusebia Lascari – a former adventurer – a skilled warrior and a leader, serves as Irène's lieutenant. A slim, mocha skinned, white haired woman, fanatically loyal to Irène. Serves as her Lady's bodyguard, enforcer, lover and a commander of her troops. Thea Schuurs - Irène's handmaiden, secretary and administrator who helps to manage her estates and operations. An attractive, black haired, slim woman with a bountiful chest in her thirties. Serves as a companion to Irène during official events. As Irène saved her children (by hiring a doctor to look after them), Thea's loyalty to her Lady is unquestioned. Martial: 0 Warfare: -1 Finance: +2 +1 = +3 Deception: +3 +1 = +4 Espionage: +2 +1 = +3 Seduction: +3 +1 = +4 Charisma: 0 Command: -1 Perception: +1 Willpower: +1 +1 = +2 Fortitude: 0 HP = 1
